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The Flydubai Flight FZ1073 incident has once again drawn attention to the history of hijackings, bombings and attacks involving commercial aircraft. The Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia on September 30 after a violent confrontation in the cockpit. The aircraft, carrying 174 people, experienced a rapid descent before passengers and crew intervened. It eventually landed safely at Tabuk. The motive remains under investigation, while Israeli officials have described the incident as a possible attempted terror attack.The episode has renewed memories of earlier aviation disasters and security incidents that fundamentally changed how airlines protect passengers and aircraft.
Pan Am Flight 73, Hijack in 1986
Pan Am Flight 73 was hijacked at Karachi airport in September 1986 by Palestinian militants. The standoff ended after security forces stormed the aircraft. Flight attendant Neerja Bhanot helped passengers escape before she was killed during the incident.
Air India Flight 182, 1985
Air India Flight 182, operating from Montreal to Mumbai, exploded over the Atlantic Ocean in June 1985. All 329 people aboard died. Investigators concluded that a bomb had been placed on the aircraft, making it one of the deadliest aviation terrorist attacks in history.
Lockerbie Bombing, 1988
Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, on December 21, 1988. All 259 people aboard were killed, along with 11 people on the ground. The investigation found that a bomb had destroyed the aircraft, leading to major changes in aviation security and baggage screening.
IC-814 Hijacking, 1999
Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 was hijacked while flying from Kathmandu to Delhi on December 24, 1999. The aircraft was diverted through several locations before ending up in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The week-long hostage crisis ended after India released three jailed militants in exchange for the passengers.
September 11 Attacks, 2001
The September 11 attacks involved four commercial aircraft hijacked by members of al-Qaeda. Two planes were deliberately flown into New York's World Trade Center, another struck the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to regain control.
The attacks transformed global aviation security, resulting in reinforced cockpit doors, tighter flight-deck access and expanded airport screening.
Metrojet Flight 9268, 2015
Metrojet Flight 9268 crashed over Egypt's Sinai Peninsula in October 2015, killing all 224 people aboard. Russian authorities concluded that a bomb had destroyed the aircraft. The incident highlighted continuing concerns about explosive devices entering airports through security vulnerabilities.
Daallo Airlines Flight 159, 2016
An explosion aboard Daallo Airlines Flight 159 shortly after take-off from Mogadishu in 2016 created a hole in the aircraft's fuselage. The aircraft returned safely, although one passenger died after being ejected through the opening. Investigators concluded that an explosive device was involved.
Korean Air Flight 858, 1987
Korean Air Flight 858 disappeared over the Andaman Sea in November 1987, killing all 115 people aboard. Investigators concluded that North Korean agents had planted a bomb on the aircraft.
MH370, 2014
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappeared while travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March 2014 with 239 people aboard. Investigators determined that the aircraft deviated from its planned route, but the precise circumstances and fate of the aircraft remain unresolved. Various theories, including hijacking, have circulated, but no terrorist motive has been established.
What the Flydubai Case Raises
Unlike many historical cases involving destroyed aircraft or prolonged hijackings, the Flydubai incident involves a surviving aircraft and numerous witnesses. Investigators in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Israel are examining what happened inside the cockpit and the circumstances surrounding the emergency.
The incident has therefore renewed questions about aviation security and the possibility of threats originating within an aircraft itself. However, the motive and classification of the Flydubai episode remain subject to the ongoing investigation.